Fig. 3

miR-218 promotes SDSC chondrogenesis. SDSCs were transfected with either miR-218 mimics or miR-218 inhibitor. After induction of chondrogenic differentiation for 21 days, (a) immunohistochemistry was used to detect Col II, and Alcian Blue and Safranin O were utilized to stain sulfated GAG or ACAN, respectively. b RT-PCR was used to measure expression of chondrogenic marker genes, including SOX9, COL2A1, Aggrecan, and COMP, in miR-218-overexpressing and miR-218-inhibited SDSCs. Three independent experiments were performed in triplicate, and the data are presented as the means ± SDs. * P < 0.05 vs. the control group, ** P < 0.01 vs. the control group. c miR-218 mimics were transfected into SDSCs, and SOX9, COL2A1, Aggrecan and COMP protein levels were assessed by western blot analysis